Chatting With The LDS Church President Monson

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Chatting With The LDS Church President 'Round The Spit 'n' Shine

LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson spends time with one of Utah's best shoe shiners. It's just one of the beehive state's public places that President Monson spends some time. 2News' Ron Bird talked with Monson at a downtown hotel.

It is unusual considering most LDS presidents are only seen at semi-annual conferences, events, dedicating a temple or greeting U.S. Presidents.

Ron found him getting an old-fashioned shoe shine.

"This is where I get my shoes shined," said Monson. "When I don't do them myself," he added.

President Monson struck up a friendship with shoe shiner Elvis Mendez about five years ago.

"He just started coming in and kept coming back for more," Elvis said.

As you can imagine, the Church President draws a crowd.

"They want to shake his hand...get up here and take a picture with him," said Elvis.

Elvis loves to hear President Monson's stories and what's on his mind.

"I don't want to go to the airport today. I've had enough flying for a week or two," said Monson.

He won't have much of a break, the July 24th parade is coming up.

"I'm going to lead it. The first car, and I'll be waving," President Monson said.

Then he travels for two temple dedications.

"Panama. In about a week or two. I'm dedicating a temple in that country. I've had all my shots," he said with a shake of his shoulders. "You know, in both arms."

"Then I'm going to dedicate a temple in Twin Falls a week or two later," he said.

"That's where I'm from," said Ron Bird.

"Well you have a nice, new temple there. It's all finished. It will be dedicated."

With three pairs of fresh shoes President Monson is a happy customer.

"Well I better pay him, hadn't I," said President Monson as he reaches into his wallet for some money.

He leaves with a compliment for Ron's lime green tie.

"I guess your wife picked it," said Monson. "She's got good taste."

As he left the shoe shine booth he waved the peace sign above his head and said "peace" with a chuckle.

President Monson will travel to Panama City to dedicate the temple on August 10th.

He will dedicate the Twin Falls, Idaho temple on August 24th, bringing the number of operating LDS temples worldwide to 128. After all those miles, he'll probably be due for another shoe shine.